Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 65
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 65: Hot pot (2)
Xie Xun first added all kinds of meatballs to the pot and then began adding the internal organs that were not easy to cook. The bubbling, boiling soup immediately calmed down, and the layer of red oil floating on the surface became slightly restless.
The tip of the people's nose was full of spicy and delicious smells, making them feel uncomfortable. Everyone secretes saliva from the roots of their tongues and urgently needs the rescue of this hot pot.
Everyone anxiously waited for the ingredients to be cooked. Although this period of time was obviously not too long, it felt extremely difficult.
The crown prince took the first step to break the difficult silence, "Boyuan, all these meat were placed in the soup randomly, won't they taste strange?"
It was also the first time Xie Xun had eaten a hot pot, so he didn’t know how it tasted. However, he had eaten Lou-mei, Malatang, Spicy Fragrant Pot, etc. Those were cooked together, and he knew that putting the right ingredients together would not only contaminate the taste but also absorb the aroma of the other ingredients.
He said, "Naturally not, your Royal Highness will know after tasting it."
The prince was itchy by what he said. The maid re-opened the lid at this time, and the soup base started to boil and bubble again. Bai Zhi stepped forward and said, "Madam said that you could cook some easily cooked ingredients, such as lamb rolls, beef rolls, and duck intestines, loin slices, and so on."
When preparing the dishes, Jiang Shuyao deliberately instructed the maids to prepare the ingredients so that they would be easy to cook, preventing this group of people from staring at the table full of ingredients.
They couldn’t recognize the innards of duck intestines, liver, loin slices, and tripe, but they could still recognize lamb rolls and beef rolls.
The crown prince took the lead in moving his chopsticks, and everyone followed.
The lamb rolls were cut extremely thin, and once they were put in the pot, they changed color within a few seconds.
It was the first time that this group of people cooked it by themselves. It was a fresh experience, and they were at a loss.
"Can we eat it now?" Lin Cheng asked the question that everyone thought.
The little cook standing beside him examined the lamb roll's color and nodded. Although she was afraid of these officials, she remained calm. "Returning to master. It's okay. It will be too late if it's cooked for too long."
When she finished her words, everyone moved their chopsticks in a uniform "swish" sound.
Then, the difficulty turned to which sauce they should dip their lamb in.
There were dry dipping sauces, oil dipping sauces, and sesame sauce.
Everyone did not expect much from the taste one second before the lamb rolls were put in their mouth.
It really looked very simple. It was a simple pot, with no complicated methods or exquisiteness. It was just a variety of ingredients, and you had to do it yourself. Although it smells wonderful, the taste may be just so-so.
Then they put lamb rolls in their mouths.
It tastes so good! It smells so fragrant!
How could lamb rolls be so tender, so fresh, without a trace of lamb smell? Who knows how this soup was made. The spicy scents of complex spices are soaked in the mutton, and after chewing, the strong hot and spicy flavor stirs a wave of heat on the tip of the tongue, which instantly rushes to the scalp.
The dry dipping sauce was with sesame powder, crushed peanuts, chili powder, pepper powder, etc. You could clearly feel the graininess on the surface of the lamb rolls. The lining made the mutton very tender and soft, and their mouth was full of fine powder.
Speaking of the oil dipping sauce. Once the lamb rolls were put in, oily garlic, mixed with coriander and shallots wrapped the surface. The rich aroma of sesame oil instantly makes the taste buds tremble, and the mutton becomes softer and tender after being dipped in sesame oil. It was a bit chewy, and with one bite, the sweet and smooth sesame oil came out from between the meat, which was a fresh sensation.
The sesame sauce was far more intense than the previous two. As the lamb roll was dipped into the thick sauce, it was quickly enveloped, and upon lifting it, a thick layer of sesame sauce dripped down. When placed in the mouth, it felt cool.
Of course, the chill came from the sesame sauce. Once it touched the tongue, the outer layer of sauce melted away, revealing the warmth of the lamb roll inside. The heat and spiciness were perfectly balanced by the sesame sauce’s rich, sweet flavor, turning everything into a harmonious delight.
It was amazing, everyone had no time to recall which one made such a delicious one, and they all put their chopsticks into the pot.
At this time, what sort of elegance could you talk about? Everyone added a few more slices to the soup. No one wanted to experience the difficult feeling of waiting for the meat slices to be cooked.
Watching the meat change from tender red to light brown, the group of people couldn't wait to pick it in their bowl.
Put a little bit of each three sauces in the bowl, wait a bit just to cool the meat down, and eat them all together.
Chopsticks fought in the pot, and as soon as they started to eat, everyone lost their grace.
"Eh, this is my meat!"
"Where is the meat I put in the pot? Who picked it?"
"Why is the plate empty? I only ate four plates, and it was empty."
Lin Cheng smiled triumphantly on the side. Hehe, you haven't seen the world. Everyone was fighting for the meat, but no one grabbed his baby.
His gaze immediately fixed on the duck and goose intestines as soon as the maids placed the dishes before him. Since the first taste of duck blood vermicelli soup, its exquisite flavor had lingered in his memory. While many were put off by the reputation of internal organs, he knew that true delicacy could not be dismissed simply because of its origins.
With a contented smile, Lin Cheng expertly picked up his treasured intestines, following Bai Zhi’s advice to let them simmer in the pot for “several ups and downs.” Amidst the lively chatter around him, he resembled an old monk at peace with his dish, thoroughly savoring the duck intestines. Counting calmly to eight, he withdrew his chopsticks.
He dipped the intestines into the sesame oil sauce, watching as the red oil floated to the surface and clung to the long, delicate organs. When he bit down, a crisp, satisfying crunch echoed, sending a wave of contentment through him.
This was it—the crispy, savory duck intestines he had been craving for so long. Encased in a delicate layer of sesame oil, the intestines were smooth and glistening, their texture perfectly crisp and flavorful. Lin Cheng hesitated, reluctant to swallow, savoring each bite as he stuffed them into his mouth, feeling them bulge and release their delightful taste. He chewed slowly, letting the exquisite flavor linger on his palate.
One bite… two… three… With each mouthful, his unique way of eating the duck intestines became increasingly apparent, his posture growing more peculiar with every bite. It didn’t take long before those around him took notice, their attention drawn to his captivating manner of enjoying his meal.
"Lin Cheng, what are you eating?" Someone asked.
Lin Cheng sighed silently in his heart. With these gluttons, he could not enjoy the duck intestines alone after all.
"Duck intestines."
"Duck...intestine?" There was a strange expression on the listener's face. "But intestines are an internal organ?"
For Lin Cheng, his colleague's voice is like a gust of wind. He emphasized, "Yes, internal organs, gross and dirty internal organs."
Some people hesitated, but some people saw Lin Cheng's stingy look and immediately picked a duck intestine with his chopsticks.
After a try, all prejudices and dislikes were all thrown back. They all followed Lin Cheng to rhythmically scald duck intestines up and down the pot, counting "Five Six Seven Eight" in their mouths.
The duck intestines were swept away, and everyone no longer hesitated to eat the remaining internal organs.
The tripes should be dipped in sesame oil, their surface faintly prickled with tiny thorns that give a distinct, satisfying texture. Tough and resilient, they demand constant biting, requiring you to stuff them fully into your mouth and chew slowly. With each bite, the crispness and refreshing chewiness unfold, releasing waves of umami and a spicy aroma that bursts between the teeth.
The loin, on the other hand, must not be boiled too long. After briefly passing through the pot, it’s ready to be pulled out when it visibly shrinks. Tender and smooth, it retains a slight dryness when bitten, its rich meatiness tempered by the spice. Each bite is so delicious it seems to disappear almost without effort, as though it melts away before you can truly savor it.
At this moment, the meatballs and other slow-cooked dishes were ready. Various ingredients floated up and down in the pot, the heat swirling around them as it constantly billowed.
Worried that her guests might not be able to handle too much, Jiang Shuyao had been cautious, using only a modest amount of oil in the hot pot, with the base broth not overly spicy. She had also added Chinese herbs to balance internal heat and elevate the flavor, ensuring it wasn't too intense for newcomers.
Yet, when everyone took their first bite of the spicy beef, they were all left speechless.
The hot and spicy taste came from the tip of their tongue, and their whole body felt like it had been ignited. It was hot, fiery, spicy, but fresh. The layer of chili powder wrapped on the beef's surface made the fragrance extremely pure. The spicy beef was extremely tender and chewy. There was some sauce, and after eating a slice, everyone was dumbfounded and gasped.
The hotter and drier the summer, the more you needed this kind of fragrant food to save the day. The long-suppressed boredom was vented along with the spicy and stimulating taste. Everyone ate and sweated, no troubles and sorrows were remembered. They just want to yell, "Cool!"
The crown prince flushed while eating. How could he have the arrogance of a prince anymore? He wiped the sweat off his forehead and said to the maid, "Is there any wine? Bring some to drink!"
The officials nearby fared no better. One by one, they rolled up their sleeves, using their precious silks and satins to mop the sweat pouring from their brows. Their once-exquisite garments, which had been the epitome of refinement, now felt like a burden. They longed for a simple cotton or linen robe—something that could absorb sweat without hindering their frantic pace as they reached for more food.
The maid nodded back and went back to the small kitchen to find Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao had just finished her dinner. After listening to the maid telling her the request, she can imagine the scene of the group of men eating enthusiastically over there. She asked, "The prince said he wants to drink?"
The maid nodded respectfully.
She thought that Jiang Shuyao would order her to take the wine immediately, but she heard Jiang Shuyao spit out a word, "No."
The maid was so shocked that she forgot the rules and looked up at Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao stretched her waist and said, "Go back and just say I don't have any alcohol here." Across the courtyard wall, she could hear the noisy sound of people grabbing food. This group of people seemed to be eating like mad. If they were drinking alcohol, in case their stomach was irritated, she would be blamed if there was something wrong.
"Get some pots of herbal tea," she added, "Oh, yes, there is sour plum soup as well, so take it."
So when the maid came back, the prince and the officials were very disappointed.
"Boyuan, I will definitely reward you with some good wine when I return to the palace." It was so pitiful. There was no wine in the house.
"I also have good wine at home. Let the servants bring it when I return home."
"Boyuan should be picky. My grandfather kept a few jars of fine wine, and I will ask for it for you."
Everyone was babbling, and one after another, they said they would give away some wine.
Xie Xun guessed Jiang Shuyao's thoughts but didn't explain them and agreed with each one of them. It happened that Jiang-shi loved to drink. She must be very happy to have a good wine.
Without alcohol, you can drink sour plum soup and herbal tea.
After a cooling drink, the frizzy stomach suddenly disappeared, and the light coolness extinguished the heat, which made people sigh soothingly and then screamed, "I can eat again!" "
In the beginning, everyone was paying attention to some etiquette, but now they were barely maintaining their demeanor. Now the table is full of chaos, and the chopsticks are fast and ruthless for fear of being cut off by others.
They don't have enough to eat. The crown prince frequently asked, "The beef is gone? Let's get another plate!"
"How come the fish balls are gone. Are there any more? Ah, no? How about letting your wife make another plate, just one plate."
"Okay, okay, what about the fish fillets? There are always fish fillets."
Stupid people are still struggling when they run out of meat dishes. Smart people already know it's time to start with vegetables.
They have added the broth several times before, and the spicy base is running out. At this time, the vegetables will not be too greasy.
There are common vegetables on the table, such as lotus root slices, kelp, oyster mushrooms, etc., as well as a variety of vegetables that have never been seen before.
With previous experience, everyone was picking the dish they had never seen before.
The fried bean curd was round, its golden shell crisp and perfectly formed. When dropped into the pot, it sank halfway, only to rise again after a moment. At just the right time, it was pulled out and rolled in sesame sauce. The tough outer skin cracked easily as they bit into it, releasing a surge of hot, flavorful soup that splashed out, flooding their senses with its rich, comforting warmth.
The eater, caught off guard, felt the tip of his tongue recoil as the hot soup splashed out. He quickly pressed the fried bean curd back into the sesame sauce, allowing the cool paste to recoat it. Once wrapped again, the bean curd cooled slightly, and when he took another bite, the soft, tender tofu was far easier to chew. The soup, now mingling with the sesame paste, swirled in his mouth, delivering a rich and mellow flavor that was both comforting and indulgent.
The gluten, on the other hand, was more oily and porous, resembling a sponge with countless tiny pockets. It absorbed the soup fully, becoming dense and flavorful. After a moment, the hot oil and savory broth oozed out, making each bite irresistibly soft, chewy, and bursting with delicious soup.
They ate a long meal for a long time and gradually stopped after the sun had set and the lights in the courtyard were lit.
Everyone was dizzy after they ate. They were drunk without alcohol. There was steam on their faces and heads, and their bodies were unhindered. If it wasn't because they were eating too much, they really wanted to stand up and jump around in the yard to vent their comfort.
At this moment, etiquette was the last thing on anyone’s mind. Everyone slumped back in their chairs, their hands resting on their swollen bellies, too exhausted to move. Their bodies felt drained, their minds sluggish from the indulgence.
It didn’t matter whether they were the noble crown prince, the pampered sons of high-ranking families, or the princely and reserved civil servants—three thoughts slowly emerged in each of their minds:
——Who am I? Where am I?
——Can I still eat this kind of delicacy in the future, and how can I eat it again?
——Can I take away the remaining hot pot soup and the sour plum drink for later?
After the third thought came up, the people who had just paralyzed all sat up and stared at their competitors with bad eyes.
The crown prince could not pack up the hot pot base and the leftovers because of his distinguished status. He was kicked out of the game ahead of time.
"Boyuan, my brother is greedy. If you give me this soup, I will go back and let him cook some dishes for you to taste."
"I think so too. It's just that I should take it back to my parents to taste. Regardless of their age, they are still as glutinous as children, hahaha."
"Hey, while we are together, I want to take it home and give it to my mother. Boyuan, my mother and your mother are both from the Liu family in Yangzhou."
The competition is getting fierce, and it's only getting started!
Lin Cheng took the lead, "Boyuan, my grandfather has no hobbies since he is no longer an official, so he likes to experience new food. It is no different from before, do you remember? When he gave us lessons, he always had pastries in front of him."
Seeing that he was about to lose, someone caught an idea. It was better to kiss up Xie Xun's wife rather than himself.
"By the way, Boyuan, your wife—her culinary skills are truly remarkable. She certainly lives up to being a Lin family daughter. Just as sharp as her mother, who was known for her business acumen. Oh, speaking of which, I just remembered—your wife’s mother and my third aunt are cousins. How about that!"
"Tsk, you reminded me, Boyuan. Your wife and the fourth daughter-in-law of my aunt's family are all from the Lin family. After thinking about it carefully, it seems that they are cousins."
A group of people were chattering, making Xie Xun dizzy. He was about to stop them when he heard a confident interjection.
"Boyuan, your wife is my cousin!"
The "tongue war heroes" all turned to look at the crown prince.
"Her mother and Concubine Lin are sisters. So counting that, she is almost my cousin."
Everyone: ???
Almost? There is too much difference! Concubine Lin is your dad's concubine, okay! Does the word "cousin" really count!
[T/N: The crown prince is the empress's son, not Concubine Lin's son. Usually, a concubine's relatives didn't count, so he was really stretching it when he called Jiang Shuyao "cousin."]
The crown prince looked at everyone's jealous eyes, with a triumphant smile on his face, "Cousin's cooking skills are awesome!"
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